Used 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A) Consumer Reviews
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2018 Hylander XLE AWD
Michael, Bend, OR, 12/12/2017
Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
85 of 93 people found this review helpful
Overall a really great vehicle, very comfortable. Interior could be a bit classier but it is still good. This is a family hauler and it does that incredibly well. This is a solid generally pleasing vehicle. I test drove countless competitors comparable models multiple times. It took me 3 months to make this decision. Overall ride quality and standard options combined with Toyota’s undeniable reputation of quality and dependability won me over. I have to admit though that every American made suv in this class was superior in comfort, quality of interior materials, ride comfort and amenities out shown every Asian vehicle we tested. However these tended to be priced higher and there is of course the questionable reliability. We tend to keep our vehicles for a decade or more so dependability was the ultimate deciding factor. There is one large problem with the Hylander, the outdated and outgunned engine infotainment system. This system is difficult to navigate and lacks basic things like smart phone mirroring. I am at a total loss on why Toyota would install such a poor system especially when just about every competitor has a much more advanced and intuitive infotainment product. I will say this though the navigation programming is excellent. It is easy to set, has nice graphics that make sense and are easily readable.
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Buyer's Remorse -- Psycho Transmission
Paul V, Silver Spring, MD, 08/02/2018
Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
44 of 48 people found this review helpful
This is the most aggravating vehicle I can recall ever driving. I've had it for three months now and very much regret buying it. Overall, it's a very good SUV but the transmission/drivetrain is a failure. The 8-speed transmission is uncertain and unpredictable at lower speeds (less than 30 mph). It hesitates, stalls, downshifts, and does whatever else it decides to do without any warning or sense of purpose. We live in Washington, DC, and driving in stop-and-go traffic in this Highlander is frustrating and dangerous since we don't know what it will or will not do when we need it to go now! I drive a lot of rental vehicles and have never experienced anything this bad; in fact, the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder I gave up for this was far, far smoother. It does have the automatic stop/start (which I really like -- they've had that in Europe for a long time), but the issues I describe are with the vehicle already running. I brought it to the dealership and the service department did a road test -- said it checked out normal and there were no outstanding service bulletins. As much as we love our Prius V, this Toyota is a huge disappointment.
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2018 Toyota Highlander for sale near you
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- XLE 4dr SUVMSRP: $23,99821 mi away
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Solid SUV
Glen Barclay, Sunnyvale, CA, 03/13/2018
Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
There is a lot of cheap plastic in the interior and all of the additional options are too pricey. The car is overall solid, but in my opinion is not anything outstanding in features or overall pricing. The most annoying and inconvenient feature is folding down the second and third row seats is a 4 step process. I am looking for a one step process. I will be looking at the new 2019 Subaru Ascent SUV model when it arrives in the next month or two.
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Great car with some exception
WLueder, Orland Park, IL, 08/21/2018
Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
I have had the car for almost three months so feel qualified to make some observations. Here are the positives about the vehicle: The ride and comfort are excellent. I am 6'4" tall so front seat room is important. I require room to stretch my legs while driving distance and the Highlander provides that room. Other SUVs I have tested don't always provide as much room. I have driven a couple of long trips and have been quite comfortable. On the trips I have taken I have averaged 26-28 mpg. I believe that is very good since I am usually driving 70 - 75 miles an hour. The leg room in the front and second rows is excellent. I appreciate the safety technology in the car, especially the safety features such as the lane departure warning. The storage in the back of the vehicle is very good with and without the second row seats down. Negative aspects of the vehicle: The fact that only certain phones work with the Enture system is disconcerting as my Motorola phone does not work with it. The Navigation system is WAY behind others. My Garmin and Waze are light years ahead of the Navigation system. It does not take me the best or shortest route. Also, if I do not follow the exact directions when close to the address, I get false “you have reached your destination”. As an example, I turned a block early from the directions provided and when I passed a block behind my destination, it said I had arrived! When returning to my home, the navigation wants me to go the long way around ( an extra 2-3 blocks) . When I go the short way, going behind my house ( the shorter route) I get the same arrived at destination message. I also get false “slow traffic ahead” messages. The blind spot detector , while nice to have, only gives the warning when the car in the lane is actually in the blind spot. My Hyundai Sonata has a computer that determines how fast the car in the lane is going and then provides the warning MUCH earlier than the Highlander. In the Highlander I still have to look which kind of defeats the purpose. In the Sonata, I rarely even have to double check. I am surprised that Toyota’s electronics are behind my three year old Korean Sonata. As others have said, the third row is not very good for adults unless we move the second seat forward which then necessitates moving the front seats forward to give the second row adequate leg room. I like so many things about the Highlander, it is a shame that the shortcomings are so glaring.
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Transmission issues
Jdhpatriots, Leominster, MA, 10/21/2018
Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 8A)
16 of 20 people found this review helpful
From the 1st day I had this car the transmission has been terrible. When you coast into an intersection, rotary etc. step on the gas and it hesitates then accelerates quickly. I have brought it to the dealership several times only to be told that is normal. I went so far as to test drive another 2018 on the lot along with the salesman. While there was minor hesitation it was far better than my Highlander. Just brought it in for service and was asked how i liked the car. Told them i was really not satisfied. Seems Toyota really doesn’t care. Service person said he is getting allot of complaints about the transmission. I will not lease another Highlander and probably move away from Toyota all together.
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